Effects of improved fish production technology on the output of fish farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined the effects of improved fish production technology on the output of fish farmers in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 125 respondents were selected. Primary data was collected with the use of structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the study. Mean age of respondents was 39.8 years. Also majority were male (83.2%), had tertiary education (84.0%) and kept Catfish (90.4%). The mean income earned was N 1,012,320.00. Commonly used/ adopted improved fish technologies were floating feeds (84.8%), standard feeding regimes (84.0%), improved breeds of fingerlings (80.0%) and provision of inlet and outlet devices in pond (78.4). Farmers’ perceptions were that the use of improved fish production technology saves time (mean=1.34), increases profit/improved income (mean=1.12) and conserves fish farmers’ energy (mean=1.08). This study found average increase in output: input ratio as 0.77 kg of harvest per fish fingerlings stocked due to improved fish technology when compared to that before adoption of improved technology. Most indicated constraints faced by fish farmers were inadequate capital (88.0%), high cost of feed (79.2%) and high cost of fingerlings (71.2%). Profit increase/improved income of catfish farmers via higher yield/harvest due to adoption of new technology was found to be positively correlated with age (p<0.01), gender (p<0.05), and experience (p<0.05). The study concluded that the use of fish improved technology had positively influenced harvest of catfish farmers in the study area. The study recommend the need for training, workshops and seminars for catfish farmers on how they could have easy access to land, feeds at affordable rate and sources of fund at minimal interest rate.

Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 6: 50-62, December 2015